Bon Echo Provincial Park

About Bon Echo Provincial Park

Bon Echo Provincial Park is built around one of Ontario's most striking natural landmarks — Mazinaw Rock, a 100-metre granite cliff rising straight out of Mazinaw Lake. The cliff face holds over 260 Indigenous pictographs painted in red ochre, making it the largest collection of rock art in the Canadian Shield and a designated National Historic Site.

The name "Mazinaw" comes from the Algonquin word meaning "picture" or "writing." Stand at the base of the cliff by canoe and you'll understand why — and if you call out, you'll hear the distinct echo that gave the park its name.

It's about a 2 hour 45 minute drive from Ottawa, making it a solid weekend camping destination.

Camping

The park has 530 campsites across several areas:

Mazinaw Lake Campground (395 sites)

Three loops — Sawmill Bay (163 sites), Fairway (120), and Midway (112). 286 sites have electrical hookups. Close to the beach, boat launches, and park store.

Hardwood Hill Campground (100 sites)

Non-electrical, more wooded and quiet. A good pick if you prefer a more rustic experience.

Canoe-In Sites (21 sites)

Paddle to remote campsites on Joeperry and Pearson Lakes — a genuine backcountry experience accessible by canoe.

Backcountry (5 sites)

Along the Abes & Essens trail system, reached by hiking.

Roofed Accommodations

Camp cabins, a rustic cabin, yurts, and exploration tents for those who want to skip the tent setup.

Things to Do

Mazinaw Rock

The park's centrepiece. Paddle along the 2.5 km cliff face to see the pictographs up close — the best way to experience them is by canoe or kayak. The Cliff Top Trail (1.5 km) is accessible only by water and features three observation decks on top of the 100-metre rock face.

Swimming

Three sand beaches — Main Beach on Lower Mazinaw Lake, South Beach in the day-use area, and North Beach at Sawmill Bay.

Hiking (~40 km of trails)

• Bon Echo Creek Trail (1 km) — Easy walk along the creek
• High Pines Trail (1.7 km loop) — Easy, through tall pines
• Shield Trail (4.8 km loop) — Moderate, Canadian Shield terrain
• Cliff Top Trail (1.5 km) — Water access only, views from atop Mazinaw Rock
• Abes & Essens Trail — Three loops (3.5 km, 9.6 km, 17 km), moderate to difficult, with 5 backcountry campsites

Paddling & Fishing

Boat launches at North Beach, the Lagoon, Joeperry Lake, and along Bon Echo Creek. Canoe and kayak rentals available. Mazinaw Lake reaches 145 metres deep — the third deepest lake in Ontario.

Visitor Information

• Season: Early May to mid-October (2025: May 9 – October 19)
• Fees: Non-electrical sites from ~$39/night, electrical from ~$44/night. Day use $18/vehicle (must be booked in advance)
• Reservations: Book online at Ontario Parks — Bon Echo is extremely popular and summer weekends sell out months in advance
• Facilities: Comfort stations with showers, laundry, dump station, park store, visitor centre, amphitheatre, canoe/kayak rentals

Getting There

• From Ottawa: Take Highway 7 west toward Perth, then Highway 41 south to Cloyne. About 260 km / 2 hours 45 minutes
• Address: 16151 Hwy 41, Cloyne, ON K0H 1K0